Improvement in compounds for extinguishing fires



UNITED STATES JOSHUA UPHAM, or SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

lMiROVEMENT IN COMPOUNDS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. QAQS, dated November 4, 1851.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSHUA UPHAM, of Sa-v lem, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Mode of Preventing the Combustion or Destruction of a Building by Fire; and I do here by declare that the same is fully described in the following specification. 4

My process consists in introducing into an apartment or building when it is on fire a mixture of twenty parts ofsulphur and three partsof niter, combined together and either previously set on fire or placed where the flames in such apartment can gain-access to it. The mode *of proceeding which I advise is to put the compound in a common iron vessel, shallow pot, or skillet ofsnfficient capacity to contain thequautity required of it, and introduce each vessel so charged,and with its contents set on fire,in tothe apartment while it is on fire, taking care to close the windows and doors thereof, if possible. In case of a navigable vessel, if the fire takes in the cargo or hold, thecompound of sulphur and niter may be introduced in anyproper manner, and, if set on fire or placed in contact with the fire, sulphnrous -acid gas will he evolved in great quantities, and by its aflinity for the oxygen in the hold will soon absorb such quantities thereof as to cause the'fire to go out. So, in case of abuildingon fire, the sub phurous-acid gas produced during the combustion of the compound of sulphur and niter will soon fill the room, provided there be a sufiicient quantity of such compound-say about a dozen pounds thereof to an apartment about twenty feet square-it will shortly extinguish the fire. The object of using so large a quantity of niter is to facilitate combustion of v the sutllphur and generate the gas as soon as possi e.

I am aware that it is known that sulphurousacid gas will extinguish the flame of a taper or any such like small flame. 1 therefore do but What I do claim is--- .The application of a compound of sulphur and niter, in a state of combustion, within a room or apartment on fire, for the purpose of extinguishing the fire tending to destroy said room or building thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my signature this 27th day of March,'A. D. 1851.

JOSHUA UPHAM.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM L. PIoKNELL, E. R. SPUIR.

not claim such-as my invention or discovery; 

